Winter Fun

Last night I had a dream that Detective Eames, the fictional character on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, was investigating something across the street from my house at Prairie Park. Of course, I went over and offered to be of assistance. She wouldn't tell me what the crime was but she did talk with me, which I found unbelievably exciting. Then, I found out that Detective Goran, the other fictional character who I have a major crush on, was my new professor in college. Oh, it was a lovely dream indeed! There were a bunch of other irrelevant details to this dream, such as going to get pumpkin pancakes with Gloria. I am not sure why I have such strange and vivid dreams, but they make for interesting conversation.

Ok, so next time any of you are in Naperville you need to come and visit me at my job. I am fast falling in love with Williams-Sonoma. Not only are my coworkers really nice, but pretty much all of the customers are nice too. I thought that I would hear a lot of people clicking their tongues about the prices, but most people go there knowing what to expect. Also, there is no better place to get high end cooking equiptment. In the same way that men are particular about their tools, cooks are particular about their tools as well. If you have ever tried mixing with a professional 6-quart Kitchen Aid, you will know what I mean. It has this neato handle that rotates it up and down and makes it so much easier to maneuver. Ok, enough gushing.

My in-laws are turning their yard into a winter wonderland, with plans for expansion in the coming years. Kevin predicted this, and of course he isn't here to see the fulfillment. I am missing him so terribly right now. Everything about winter makes me ache for him. He was great about keeping my car full of gas and checking the windshield wiper fluid, he loved to cuddle with me on cold winter mornings, and of course we started dating in late fall and early winter. I see lots of couples holding hands and walking around Christmas shopping, and I miss him so much. Also, I miss Christmas shopping for him. I mean, I see things that I know he would love and then I remember that he isn't here to open them.

Also, I am sick to death of cheesy commercials. In particular, I hate the commercial where the probably gay man pulls into the driveway and his wife and 2.5 kids start throwing snowballs at him. He just ducks and grins, then holds up a bag showing he had purchased his wife a gift at a jewelry store. Then the sappy music begins. In real life, he would be shopping on Christmas Eve while his children pestered his wife all night high on sugar and present-anticipation. Or, if he did come home and they threw snowballs at him, he would growl and go in the house, complaining for the rest of the night about it. Or, when he put his hand up with the bag from the jewelry store his wife would be mad because he totally spoiled any surprise.

Truth is, I am all for romanticism and dreams come true. I still believe in happy endings, even with my own sad predicament. However, I do not like trite fairy tales that play up how attractive people achieve the unachievable happiness. Perhaps that man really bought the jewelry for his mistress and wasn't expecting his wife to be home and see him with the bag. Ok, now I really sound jaded.

Ok, I must get some shut eye. Call me people so we can have some winter fun.